The new chairman of mainland electronics retailer Gome Electrical Appliances Holdings has pledged to speed up growth over the next five years to narrow Gome's gap with its rivals now that the company's bitter infighting has come to an end.
Zhang Dazhong, Gome non-executive director, who took over the top spot from former chairman Chen Xiao on March 9, did not give a figure for new-store growth, but said it would definitely be more than 100. The group added 100 stores last year.
He deflected a question suggesting that his role was only transitional.
'I hope, under my leadership, the company will attain good profits and good results. The board of directors would probably love to extend the co-operation if the company performs well, so we'll see,' Zhang said.
Announcing the company's first results since Chen lost a high-profile battle for control with Wong Kwong-yu, Gome's billionaire founder now serving a 14-year jail sentence for bribery and insider trading, Zhang said he did not have a 'special personal relationship' with Wong but admired him as a leader in the sector.
'[Wong and I] were long-time competitors. We admire each other as our competition raised the quality of the home appliances business as a whole ... we have a good relationship, but it's more work-related than personal.'